Cronin is a pretty red/orange colored peak that stands in stark contrast to its larger, whiteish colored neighbor (Antero).

8/20/05 - With Antero from Baldwin Gulch. Ascended the east ridge and descended the northeast ridge. Loose talus makes the climb slightly annoying. The northeast ridge was a little more difficult than the east ridge.

2/14/10 - Backpacked to 11,750 along Antero jeep road made a loop over Antero, White & Cronin the following day. The east ridge held efficient kickstepping snow - a big improvement from all that loose talus when dry!

I climbed Antero first via the standard route. I then followed the ridge over to then UN13870. I descended the north ridge. When it looked okay to do so, I dropped off the west side to W Baldwin Creek. There is a bunch of really big rocks that made for an interesting journey to rejoin the standard route near the 4WD parking.

To avoid the overcrowded Baldwin Creek area I opted for the secluded Cyclone Creek approach. You also have the chance to include several other Bi peaks from this direction. Great climb up a beautiful valley. Had the whole climb to my self. Also took in Cyclone and Carbonate.

Climbed with James Hay. Despite the recent front range and northern mountain snows there was only 4" of snow on the road and we made it all the way to 10,840' in my XTerra. There were pockets of slabby windblown snow on the ridge, but mostly it was pretty clear. Great views of the Southern Sawatch, we could also see from Pikes to Uncompahgre on this clear fall day.

After summiting Antero and begining the saddle to Cronin, Debbie and I were chased off the mountain by hail and lightnening. We returned to my Tacoma at 11000', then drove back up the 4WD road so I could get Cronin. I quickly made my way up the SE ridge as snow and some lightening approached. Whiteout horizontal snow storm in August on the way down. Ahh, only for those who get up high. Score!

Climbed the snowy east slopes of Cronin Peak after Mount Antero. Slippery, dicy descent on the north side of the mountain, followed by endless talus-hopping and a long slog through the snow back out to the Baldwin Gulch Road. Did have some great glissading on Cronin's northwest slopes, and even saw a few billy goats. First to sign the summit log since last October!

So I like to think I know the mountains in Colorado pretty well, but stupid mistakes suggest otherwise. After spending nearly a month backpacking along the divide in the Sawatch and climbing everything I came across, maybe I got cocky. The approach from the Colorado Trail was beginning to feel longer than I had anticipated but the valley was stunning and the morning quite pleasant so I just plugged away. At an alpine lake I saw a big red mound of rubble and just decided that would be Antero. On the summit, I realized otherwise. Nonetheless, this mountain is a worthy hike and far more secluded and peaceful than any damned 14'er! This summit log is as much how I did not climb Antero, as how I did climb Cronin. Given the choice, you might want to do the same.